What is research? It is a careful search for information about a particular matter. It includes reading, and it requires the application of the principles of study. It may also involve interviewing people.

Research involves Input, Process and Output.

• Input is the collection and gathering of information
• Process is the integration and evaluation of your input by making them accessible, meaningful and informative to your audience.
• Output is the final information or result of the research to deliver.

What conditions may call for a research ? 

• Partaking in a debate
• Event speaking opportunity
• Interview
• Composition of an article
• Writing about someone, something or place
• Sitting for an exam
• Creating a website
• Creating a blog post
• Seminar hosting ideas
• News Casting
• Marketing strategy
• Industrial research

Please Read Carefully these seven (7)  factors that can make your research to be effective, informative and reliable !

1.  Aim/Goal

Why the need for a research ? The aim of a particular research should be your goal but what are to considered about your aim ? Why the need for your research ? Although the basic facts may be understood, you may need to expand or explain  on when or how to do what is stated. Convincing calls for giving reasons outlining why a thing is so, including presentation of evidence. Refuting requires a thorough knowledge of both sides of an issue along with a careful analysis of evidence used. Of course, we seek not simply strong arguments but ways to present facts in a kindly manner.

2. Time

Time may be an important factor. If you are going to present the information to others, how much time will be available for you to do it? Five minutes? Forty-five minutes? Is the time fixed, such as at an event, conference or meeting,consultation, rehearsal or online. Time to gather your information is important because of two (2) reasons. Firstly, you have to spend enough time on your research, do not hasten yourself or overly anxious about your time deadline because if you rush your research your output will not be quality. Secondly, optimize your time do not spend too much time on a path on your research because when you check on too much of references you will be diverted and probably get confused.

3. Audience

Your audience are those will be accessible to your research output either online or somewhere else, you have to consider your audience before making your research with the following questions because these questions below may will guide you through the process of making your research?Consider this few questions about your audience :

• Why the need ?
• What is their interest ?
• What is their view about this?
• What should they know ?
• What is their demographics  ( age and gender ) ?
• Who are the beneficiaries ?
• Will my research be found offensive or bias  ?
• How can my research refresh them?
• Will my research be found informative enough
• Will they rely on my research ?

4. Sources

The  sources of your information matters because they are the bricks that forms the building, if the bricks are not solid enough the building may collapse. If your information sources are not true, reliable and bias or if any of your information sources is not true or accurate your output may collapse. Your sources can be People, Library and Online.

1. People

Talking to people are a rich source of information. Conversing with people may also reveal their thought and this can help you to prepare material that is truly practical. Discussing the notion with coworkers, friends and family members can input more especially with experienced people .

2. Library

Do you have a personal library at home or in your city that can serve you better ? But you need to know (1)Is the book’s information up to date (2)Is the publisher/writer bias (3)are the informations accurate?

3. Online

People make research online in these days than going to libraries to search for information. Search Engines help in searching for informations but to your taste the results may overwhelm your capacity because you will not be able to read the whole information from different websites you see. Do not forget your aim, time and audience these three factors will determine the kind of information you need to consider. An information in India may not be recommended for Nigerians likewise in the United States. You may create an online survey to know about a particular thing.

5. Keep Record File

If you find in a newspaper or a magazine a news item, statistic, or example that you can use in your research , clip it out or copy the information. Include the date, the title of the periodical, and perhaps the name of the author or publisher. Have you ever thought of a good illustration but did not have an opportunity to use it right away? Write it down, and keep it in a file.

6. Evaluate/Integrate your inputs 

Are you now ready to begin? Not quite. Consider how much information you need. After wheat is harvested, the grain needs to be removed from the chaff. So it is with the fruitage of your research. Before it is ready for use, you need to separate what is valuable from what is superfluous. Since doing research can be very absorbing, be careful not to get sidetracked. Stay focused on your objective to search out the material needed for the task at hand. If the Index refers you to a certain source, turn to the page(s) cited. Then examine the surrounding comments. If you are going to use the information in an event, online article, Interview, exam or somewhere else , ask yourself: ‘Does the point I plan to use really contribute something worthwhile to my presentation of the subject? Or, even though it is interesting material, does it tend to divert attention from the subject that I ought to be talking about?’ If you are considering using current events or material from the ever-changing fields of science or medicine, make sure that the information is up-to-date. Realize, too, that some points in older sources of information may have been updated, so consider what has most recently been published on the topic. Information differs with location, what may be useful in Nigeria may not be recommended to Indians likewise to United States residents.

There is a special need to be cautious if you choose to compile information from secular sources. Evaluate the fruits of your research from that perspective. With regard to secular research, ask yourself: ‘Is this material exaggerated, speculative, or shortsighted? Was it written with a selfish or commercial motive? Do other authoritative sources agree with it? Above all, does it harmonize with humanity ?’ Before you publish your output carefully preview the whole thing and let an experienced person help preview it, if possible more than one person . 

Research takes effort, but doing it will help you to find the reasonable thoughts on matters, to correct mistaken ideas, and to make firm your grasp of the truth. It will also add substance and life to your presentations, making them a pleasure to deliver and a delight to hear. It put more value to your knowledge and lifestyle.

7. Acknowledgement 

Acknowledgement add more beauty, value and quality to your research. How is that so ? When you make reference to sensitive information sources and show your appreciation to your contributors, audience will know your research is a big deal, and is supported by interested people and from rich sources.

When you do quality and resourceful research your output or  delivery will be trusted, reliable and shareable !

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